What sky bridges tell us about New York's past

The East 24th Street sky bridge links two towers between Park and Madison avenues.

Casting a shadow over East 24th Street is something that passes for a unique sight in Manhattan these days. A sky bridge spans two towers between Park and Madison avenues occupied by Credit Suisse.

In the past, the pedestrian walkways were a not uncommon feature for commercial buildings. Elevator operators were phased out for faster, automatic lifts, many of the city’s sky bridges—which require city approval if they cross over public streets—became relics. The last sky bridge built in the city was likely the West 24th Street pedestrian bridge, constructed in 1968 but torn down in 2014. Despite the trend, Landlord S.L. Green agreed to pay $600,000 last month to renew the revocable consent agreement with the Department of Transportation that makes the walkway on Credit Suisse's building last month possible.

A new enclosed walkway under construction at a luxury rental building will not have to support that burden. The sky bridge connecting the two angled towers of the American Copper Buildings at 626 First Ave. sits aloft within the confines of the development's tax lot.

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